THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release April 30, 2008
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Laura and I send greetings to all those observing North Korea Freedom Week. I am deeply concerned about the grave human rights conditions in North Korea, especially the denial of universal freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association, and restrictions on freedom of movement and workers’ rights. I have met in the Oval Office with some of the brave individuals who have escaped from that country. I am deeply concerned by the stories of divided families, harsh conditions, and suffering. The United States stands with the North Korean people in their call for freedom. We believe it is every person’s basic right to live in freedom and dignity. We will continue to support the North Korean people as they strive to achieve the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled as human beings. We look forward to the moment when we can celebrate the blessings of liberty with the North Korean people.
Will the next president stand up for religious freedom also? We should consider that when we vote in November.
It’s a big consideration. Unfortunately, the US can’t seem to solve its own problems, partly because it’s so mired down in being PC. Whoever is elected, God is still working His will in the world for the good of all His children and all those who will become the heirs of salvation.
I have to keep reminding myself of this, particularly since the elections here have been nothing but a disappointment thus far. As a SD resident, I have no say in helping to choose “my” party’s candidate. This is frustrating until I remember who my Abba is.
Grace and peace,
Cindy
My belief is that the U.S. desperately needs to be tougher (sanctions – whatever) on North Korea. Kim Jong Il is a despot who will understand nothing else.
I was a participant in NKFW and, on the whole, was amazed at the disinterest (we lobbyists weren’t even on the day’s agenda at various legislative offices although they’d been told we were coming) on the part of lawmakers who have resolutons, in committee, to aid NK. Will those things die and committee and we be ashamed, when NK opens up, by the carnage we should have tried harder to eliminate.